Travel packages and consumer protection

The traveller’s rights listed on this website will be effective as from 1 July 2018, when the Act on Travel Service Combinations enters into force.

When a traveller orders more than one travel service for the same trip, this may constitute a travel package or an assisted travel arrangement. Consumer rights depend on which type of travel is involved.

These pages contain information on travel packages and instructions for dealing with problems that travellers may encounter before or during a journey. Legislation on travel packages has been harmonised across the EU.

Travel package

= Travellers book at least two different types of travel services for the same trip or holiday, for a combined price.

Assisted travel arrangement

= Travellers book the same trip or holiday travel services from different service providers one by one and with different contracts.

The tour operator is responsible for the entire travel package, for example the services included in the trip, such as transport and accommodation.

Each company selling a travel service is only responsible for its own service. Each company selling a travel service is only responsible for its own service. In assisted travel arrangements, the assessment of defects is subject to the general principles of contract law and the provisions on service defects in the Consumer Protection Act.

In the case of a travel package, the traveller is protected from the moment of purchase until the end of the journey, including right of cancellation and help in problem situations. Liability cannot be transferred to subcontractors, such as transport providers, hotels or other travel agencies involved in putting the travel package together.

An assisted travel arrangement is created, for example when a travel agency assists a traveller in making separate contracts on additional services with other service providers for the same trip or holiday, and the selection and booking process of travel services are clearly separate. The travel agency that assisted in putting the travel arrangement together must provide the traveller with information on his/her rights.